For a smaller zero-sugar can with a stated caffeine amount, Red Bull Zero contains 80mg in 250ml; Monster Absolutely Zero is a larger zero-sugar option with 160mg in 500ml, according to their manufacturers. If you prefer a regular sugared drink or another sparkling style, compare the exact can’s sugar and caffeine figures rather than assuming its flavour will suit the meal or everyone sharing it.
For a takeaway evening, a 250ml can may be easier to fit into your plans than a 500ml can. Red Bull states that its Original and Zero 250ml cans each contain 80mg caffeine; Monster Energy lists 160mg in each named 500ml Original Green and Absolutely Zero can. Count other caffeine you have had as well as the can you choose.
Red Bull Zero and Monster Absolutely Zero offer zero-sugar routes at different can sizes. Check the exact variant: Monster Energy lists 0g sugar for Absolutely Zero but 55g per 500ml can for Original Green. A zero-sugar label does not mean caffeine-free.
Keep a non-caffeinated sparkling choice available rather than treating energy drinks as drinks for every guest. For England, the Department of Health and Social Care announced an under-16 sales restriction on high-caffeine energy drinks from April 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval; check the position when you buy.
Start with caffeine in the whole can, then compare sugar content and the drink style you actually want alongside the takeaway.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per can | Compare the full-can amount and can size. Red Bull lists 80mg in each named 250ml Original or Zero can; Monster Energy lists 160mg in each named 500ml Original Green or Absolutely Zero can. Count caffeine from other drinks too. | I would rather choose a smaller stated caffeine amount for one can, especially if I have already had tea, coffee or another caffeinated drink. |
| Sugar or sweeteners | Check the exact regular or zero-sugar variant and compare sugar on the same per-can basis. Monster Energy lists 55g sugar in a 500ml Original Green can and 0g in a 500ml Absolutely Zero can. | Do I want a zero-sugar drink that uses sweeteners, or do I prefer a regular sugared formula? The name of the brand alone will not tell me which one I am picking up. |
| Fizz and flavour | Confirm that the particular drink is carbonated. Lucozade describes its Energy range as sparkling and containing glucose; Tesco describes Relentless Origin 500ml as carbonated. Check the exact pack for its flavour and nutrition information. | I want a fizzy drink with the takeaway, but I would choose its flavour for my own taste rather than assume one energy drink pairs with every Chinese dish. |
| Who will drink it | Provide a non-caffeinated option for younger guests. The Department of Health and Social Care announced an England under-16 sales restriction on high-caffeine energy drinks from April 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval. The NHS advises a maximum of 200mg caffeine a day during pregnancy, counting all sources. | If I am buying for several people, I need drinks they can each choose appropriately, not just one multipack for the whole group. |
Monster Energy lists 160mg caffeine in a 500ml Absolutely Zero can despite its 0g sugar; Red Bull lists 80mg in a 250ml Zero can.
Check sugar and caffeine separately, using the amount for the whole can you intend to drink.
The named 500ml Monster Original Green and Absolutely Zero cans each contain 160mg caffeine, according to Monster Energy. Red Bull lists 80mg in each named 250ml Original or Zero can.
Compare the stated caffeine per can alongside volume, particularly if you have already had caffeinated drinks that day.
Tesco and Sainsbury's both identify Relentless Origin as a 500ml carbonated drink, but their displayed nutrition information differs. That makes a cross-retailer sugar comparison for this product uncertain.
Use the nutrition panel and caffeine warning on the pack you are buying when those figures matter to your choice.
The Department of Health and Social Care announced an under-16 sales restriction on high-caffeine energy drinks in England from April 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval.
Offer non-caffeinated drinks at a shared takeaway and check the current position before buying for an under-16.
These references describe particular ranges or listings; they do not mean every product from a brand has the same ingredients or can size.
Red Bull states that its Original and Zero drinks each contain 80mg caffeine per 250ml can.
Monster Energy lists 160mg caffeine per 500ml can for Original Green and Absolutely Zero.
Tesco identifies Relentless Origin as a carbonated 500ml energy drink; Sainsbury's displays a high-caffeine warning for its Origin listing.
Lucozade describes its Energy range as sparkling and containing glucose.
Tesco's energy-drinks category lists brands including Red Bull, Monster and Relentless.
Sainsbury's lists Relentless Origin as a 500ml energy drink and displays its high-caffeine warning.
These options cover smaller zero-sugar cans, larger zero-sugar cans and fruit- or lemonade-flavoured energy drinks for a takeaway night. Check each variant’s can label before comparing caffeine or sugar across the range.
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A smaller zero-sugar can if you want that format with your takeaway. Red Bull states that Zero contains 80mg caffeine per 250ml can; include other caffeinated drinks when considering your intake.
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A fruit-flavoured choice if you want 500ml cans to offer alongside the meal. Check the pack’s caffeine and sugar amounts per can before choosing it for a group.
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A lemonade-flavoured energy-drink option in 500ml cans. If caffeine or sugar determines your choice, compare the figures on this variant’s pack rather than using those for Monster Original Green.
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A zero-sugar multipack if you want larger cans for the takeaway. Check this Green Zero Sugar variant’s can size and caffeine figure on the pack; do not substitute the figures for Monster Absolutely Zero.
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A larger zero-sugar option if you prefer the Ultra variant. Read caffeine for the full 500ml can on its label before comparing it with a smaller serving or another Monster product.
Red Bull lists 80mg caffeine in each 250ml Original or Zero can, compared with Monster Energy’s stated 160mg in each 500ml Original Green or Absolutely Zero can. Compare the full-can figure for any other variant rather than applying these amounts across either brand.
No. Red Bull Zero contains 80mg caffeine per 250ml can, according to Red Bull, while Monster Energy lists 160mg per 500ml Absolutely Zero can. Check caffeine and sugar as separate label details.
Offer a non-caffeinated drink as well as any adult energy-drink options. The Department of Health and Social Care announced an under-16 sales restriction on high-caffeine energy drinks in England from April 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval; check the current position when buying.
The NHS advises no more than 200mg caffeine a day during pregnancy, with caffeine from energy drinks counting towards that total. Check caffeine from everything consumed that day, not just the can being considered.
Yes. Lucozade describes its Energy range as sparkling and containing glucose. Check the exact bottle or can for its caffeine, sugar and serving-size details before comparing it with a particular Red Bull or Monster drink.